5 Lessons Learned in 3,000 Days
Almost 3,000...I'm 2,994 days into my career as a mom. While I know I have learned something each day, I also am more aware than ever before of how, let's get real, hard motherhood is. Throughout the ups and downs, I find the following principles to be carrying me through...lately.
THE STRONGER I AM PHYSICALLY…
...the stronger I am mentally, emotionally, and maternally. I drive home from my workout, dripping in sweat with a fire engine red face, giving a silent shout out of gratitude to Heather Leigh McKenzie. Her addictive energy and sneaky ways of pushing you to your limit (and beyond) result in an I can do almost anything attitude. Looking for more strength? Join me anytime.
NIGHT, NIGHT IPHONE
After too many nights of endless scrolling and mental battles of "I know this isn't good for me", my phone goes to bed around 8:30 p.m....in the kitchen. Trust me, I was addicted to the bedtime scroll. The best part? Early phone bedtime means more me time --- to read, to watch, to sleep, to just be. If your phone is your alarm clock, never fear, sleek, new dream machines do exist. (IRL, I use our 18-year-old version, you know you had one).
BASEBALL MAKES ME HAPPY
Little brings me more joy than watching my kids perform, especially in those tiny uniforms. It’s their joy plus precious time spent with my “mom bench” that highlight my weeks in the spring. Just as much, the mini-baseball games in our mini-backyard announced and pitched by my not-so-mini husband are also a home run (uniforms not required).
POWER IN PLANNING
Taking 10 minutes to see the week ahead on paper, including meal planning (I swore I’d never), minimizes the weekly madness. Resulting feeling? In control and less frazzled. Could one piece of paper and knowing chicken meatballs are Tuesday's dinner really have that power? You betcha.
KNOWING HOW MUCH TO GIVE
I love to volunteer…in small increments. A year-long commitment to being the Room Parent? Not my strength. Need help with X, Y and Z event? Send me a Sign Up Genius (best invention ever) and I will give you all the time I can.
More lessons will be learned, more tears will be shed, and more mommy timeouts will be granted in the coming days, weeks, and years ahead. Right now, this is how I am staying calm(ish) during the crazy - helping me, according to my soon-to-be-6-year-old baby (sigh), be the “best mom he’s ever had.”
Happy Mother’s Day-
Laura